Adventures in LA Airport
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Click on any picture to obtain a larger view. Caro and I had breakfast and the Caro called Leigh. She said they were just about ready . So we called a bell boy and loaded our van. We waited for a loooong time with the scheduled departure time roaring up on us. Finally the 5 of them comedown and an intense shuffle of luggage ensues. I think they bought more while we were there. After loading both vehicles we were off to the air port. I drove like a speckled purple bat out of hell trying to keep up with Wayne with Caro screeching from the back of the van “for God‘s sake slow down before you kill us“. Finally my heart could take no more so I slowed down. Wasn’t sure where to go but saw Leigh and the GKs and pulled up to the curb. I got out to unload and a freaking LA cop came roaring up and told me to stay in the vehicle or it would be towed. So I threw the luggage out the side of the van onto carts that Leigh had. Then I went to help Caro unload her scooter. Told the cop that I would sue him and LA under the ADA if my van was towed while helping a handicapped person. All of a sudden he was a lot more pleasant.
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The guy from the van company finally arrived and stayed in the van while we finished unloading. I then got a chance to look around. The place was a mad-house. People everywhere, cars and vans darting in and out. There was a line on the outside of the sidewalk heading south and a line on the inside heading north. The noise was deafening. I saw a couple drive up in a blue car and they both got out. The woman got on the sidewalk and the guy took the luggage out of the trunk and carried it over to her. While he was arranging the luggage a wreaker hooked onto the car and towed it away. Last I saw of the guy he was hollering at the cop and the cop was staring over his head.
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The granddaughters always impress me with their seasoned traveler demeanor. We would inch forward and they would push their stuff forward. We moved about 250 feet in 30 minutes. This was when we had about an hour until the plane was supposed to leave. I believe the girls were trying to talk Leigh into going after food but it looks like Mom ain’t buying the argument. The line really speeded up and we moved about 100 feet in the next 20 minutes.
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We were almost at the turn when I took this first picture looking back to where we started and where we we headed. Then, what should appear to my wondering eyes but a “California Girl“. Another Wayne tradition, “unknown girl“. Not exactly intended to be eye candy as rather an homage to God for his sense of design. Finally we were at the first turn. Only 200 feet to go to where we could check the luggage and 35 minutes till the plane was supposed to leave. At the turn were so rose bushes that looked like the antique roses. Just barely visible is a bee foraging for pollen in the rose bloom. January 2 and bees are out. Gotta love that California weather.
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As we made the turn I saw a tree, unknown to me, with apparently thorns. I leaned way out to touch one and sure as hell they are very sharp. So much for curiosity. Looking toward our destination I begin to feel hopeful that we will get out of LA. The arrow point to the luggage check desk.
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Wayne had raced on ahead and explained our time problem and we were escorted straight to the luggage check and moved further in the last 10 minutes than we did in the previous hour. The door leads into the personal security area. We had relatively little problem, suprizingly enough, getting Caro‘s scooter through than we did Leigh‘s shoes. She must have criminal looking feet. Every airport we have ever been in gets into a frenzy over Leigh‘s footware.
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Finally we have all the luggage checked, we are through security. |
The scooter will be put on our plane when we get to the boarding area. Life is GOOD. Or not! |
